RELICS OF EARLY DAYS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 24 July 1929, Page 2

RELICS OF EARLY DAYS

FIRST LAWS IN MAORI LAND TRANSFER IN 1834 Hidden away amongstihe books and. papers left by early settlers- must bo many an interesting old document that would be safer in the Museum. Evidence that such is really the case- was given last, week, when Mr Cromwell Shepherd, of Milford, called at the office of the "Auckland Star" to show certain things he had found amongst effects that had come into his possession recently. His grandfather. James Shepherd, came across from Sydney with the Rev. Samuel Marsden, "who'first opened a mission to the Maoris at the Bay of Islands in 1814. An interesting volume, now in Mr Shepherd's possession, is a copy of tie* Inst laws issued in Maori in New Zealand. It was printed at Auckland in 1856 by direction of Ill's Excellency Thomas (lore Crown. C.l'.. On the front, page is a statement that the translation into Mauri has not followed literally the English, but has been put in. a simpler form so that, tho natives may understand it more readily. The volume has lost, its two outside boards, but tho letterpress is in a wonderful state of preservation, seeing that it, is 73 years since it was issued. The law in English appears on one page, and on the opposite one is the Maori version. While the book was being examined, a low papers fell out, which proved to he of considerable interest. One small sheet is dated November 20, 1834, just 95 veins iigo since it was drawn up. It is it deed stating that certain chiefs of the Pay of Islands transferred to one, John Buchanan, a piece of land, the consideration given being four blankets. The signatures of the chiefs are in tho form of imitations of their respective distinctive tattoo marks. On the reverse side of the sheet there is another transfer of the same piece of land to tho Church Mission Society for £5, the witness' signature being that of the British resident, Mr James Pushy. The document does not bear any stamp. Another piece of paper is a bill of. lading from a Sydney firm for 22 packages of merchandise forwarded to Campbell and Co., of Auckland. The date is April, 1347. Then there is a draft on the British Treasury for £SO. to the order of James P. Clendon for value received, on account of public services rendered. The document does not state the nature of such services or the name of the recipient. . Mr Shepherd also found a pamphlet which had been printed in Maori at the Bay of Islands in 1830. On the cover there is a well executed picture showing people assembled around a cross, about which a snake is twined. The heading is "Te Pukapuka Aroha," which may be interpreted "The letter, or book of love." Underneath are the words "Te Nakahi," .which mean "the snake."